Our Wonderful NHS

I'll second that sunseeker glad to hear it was the lesser of two evils, even so Bells Palsy is very distressing I hope it clears up quickly.

Indeed - the systems that support the staff are cap - but the staff themselves are almost always dedicated and professional.

...or even crap (which is far worse!)...

I love our NHS and am very proud of our consultant hospital doctor DD1 who has refused lucrative private work to give all her expertise to the NHS .

She remembers stories about my father, whom she never knew, whose long., debilitating illness in the USA used up all his health insurance. The last years of his life, pre Obamacare, were a misery.

The British NHS is not perfect but thank goodness we have it!

I think the NHS is fantastic too. I'm glad you had such a good experience Sunseeker and hope you recover quickly.

But I also second Lucky's post ( both of them!)

We went to a public meeting with our local CCG and we were pleasantly surprised at the plans they had. But, as always, there were yet more layers of management planned. DH'S line manager didn't even see fit to thank him for almost 50 years dedicated NHS service.

Always astounded at the professionalism and kindness

I must admit that I have become rather grumpy in recent years about the shortcomings of our local surgery; the dificulty in getting an appointment etc.
But in October I had 5 days in hospital for knee replacement and was quite overwhelmed by the kindness and efficiency of everyone from cleaners to the surgeon himself. It made me realise how very precious our NHS is, and how we take it for granted. Also,twice I have had to go the A&E and again found nothing but marvellous people trying to cope, with great kindnes, under difficult circumstances, caused mainly by being short staffed.
So what a nice idea, sunseeker, to start this thread.

Sunseeker

Very frightening isn't it.

Sincere wishes you recover from such a scare quickly.

Always good to hear when someobody recieves such good care and attention from the NHS.

Glad you are recovering at home now sunseeker and also that it wasn't a stroke, very scary episide for you, especially when alone.Off to look up Bells palsy ( a muscle thing?)?Take care of yourself.

I remember someone I worked with getting Bell's Palsy years ago and it is quite frightening but she did recover.
I remember she blamed the others who were in the same office for wanting the window open and said that the draught had caused it. However, that is not likely to be the case and it could follow a virus.

All the best for your recovery sunseeker

And yes, our NHS can be wonderful - travelling overseas and perhaps needing medical treatment makes us appreciate it even more.

Yes, we really are lucky, aren't we? and it is good to just stand back and think about that. I had nine days in hospital, and it was run like clock-work, without any kindness or sympathy being lost. Everyone was busy doing their job, but all of them had time for you.
I can remember when I was a child we had to pay to visit the doctor, so we thought very hard and long, before doing so, because we were quite poor, but there was the Evelina (?) free hospital in London where I went to have my teeth taken out and tonsils removed. The smell will stay with me forever, I think.

I hope you're fully recovered soon, Sunseeker.

Ime, the people at the coal face of the NHS are excellent. I spent over a week on an orthopaedic ward with a broken leg and I really could not fault the staff. There were issues with a delayed operation but that was totally outwith their control.

I don't know if anyone else is watching, but BBC2 has an excellent series on at the moment called Hospital. 9pm on Wednesdays. A patient summed it up for me last week. He said the treatment he had had was absolutely first class. The problem lay with actually getting to the point of having treatment.

I'd really recommend the programme if you want to see the pressures the staff has to cope with.

Thank you everyone for your good wishes. I ventured out today and I don't think I scared too many people - although I did get a few odd looks. The doctor at the hospital suggested I rest the eye on the affected side so after trying a few makeshift things at home bought an eye patch - I am now wandering around the house looking like a pirate!